Daily Archives: January 15, 2012

It was about four in the afternoon. Isn’t that interesting? The author of John’s Gospel thought it was important to notice the time of day that the two disciples left their community with John the Baptist and followed Jesus, to “see where he stayed”.

And speaking of times of day, it must have been night time when little Samuel heard God calling him. He rose from his sleep three times to respond to the specific voice that he heard calling his name. And what was Eli’s instruction to him? Go back to sleep. Go back to the place where you felt God’s presence and wait for God to find you there.

Do you have a “time of day” that you recall as a time of rendezvous with Jesus? Do you have a memory of a time or place where you felt the touch of Jesus? Faith builds on the memories of the times when we have been touched by God’s great mercy. Take a moment to remember one or two times when you experienced the comforting presence of God. You know that feeling of strength and peace that comes upon you? That’s grace, and there is grace sufficient to carry you every time you savor that memory.

In this new year, marked by a specific time (2012), perhaps we could each choose a time of day where we will stop for just a moment to listen for Jesus, or to recall God’s nearness. I choose four in the afternoon. How about you?

What is your time or place of “rendezvous with Jesus”?

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I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).